System and method for configuration of link aggregation groups
A system and method of configuration of link aggregation groups includes a control unit and a port coupled to the control unit and configured to couple the network switching device to a neighboring switch. The control unit is configured to transmit a probe message to the neighboring switch, receive a remote switch identifier and link aggregation group (LAG) identifier from the neighboring switch, determine whether the remote switch identifier matches a previously received remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier matches a previously received remote LAG identifier. When both match, determine a first LAG associated with the previously received remote switch identifier and the previously received remote LAG identifier and assign the port to the first LAG. When both do not match, to create a second LAG, assign the port to the second LAG, and associate the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier with the second LAG.
1. A network switching device comprising:
a control unit; and
a port coupled to the control unit and configured to couple the network switching device to a neighboring switch;
wherein the control unit is configured to:
transmit a probe message to the neighboring switch using the port;
receive a remote switch identifier and a remote link aggregation group (LAG) identifier from the neighboring switch on the port;
determine whether the remote switch identifier matches a previously received remote switch identifier;
determine whether the remote LAG identifier matches a previously received remote LAG identifier;
when both the remote switch identifier matches the previously received remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier matches the previously received remote LAG identifier:
determine a first LAG associated with the previously received remote switch identifier and the previously received remote LAG identifier; and
assign the port to the first LAG; and
when either the remote switch identifier does not match the previously received remote switch identifier or the remote LAG identifier does not match the previously received remote LAG identifier:
create a second LAG;
assign the port to the second LAG; and
associate the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier with the second LAG.
2. The network switching device of claim 1 wherein the probe message is a link aggregation control protocol (LACP) data unit (LACPDU).
3. The network switching device of claim 1 wherein the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier are received in a LACPDU.
4. The network switching device of claim 1 wherein the probe message is only transmitted when the control unit has not previously received the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier on the port.
5. The network switching device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to:
periodically transmit a hello message to the neighboring switch using the port; and
determine whether a response message is received from the neighboring switch on the port.
6. The network switching device of claim 5 wherein the control unit is further configured to confirm a configuration of the port and the first LAG or the second LAG to which the port is assigned based on information associated with the response message.
7. The network switching device of claim 5 wherein the hello message includes a switch identifier that identifies the network switching device and a LAG identifier that identifies the first LAG or the second LAG to which the port is assigned.
8. The network switching device of claim 5 wherein the control unit is further configured to retransmit the probe message after one or more hello messages are transmitted and no response message is received.
9. The network switching device of claim 1 wherein the probe message includes a switch identifier that identifies the network switching device and a LAG identifier associated with the port.
10. The network switching device of claim 1 wherein the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier are received in response to the transmitted probe message.
11. The network switching device of claim 1 wherein the port includes a down state, an individual state, and a bundled state.
12. The network switching device of claim 11 wherein the port transitions from the individual state to the bundled state after the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier are received.
13. The network switching device of claim 11 wherein the probe message is only transmitted when the port is in the individual state.
14. The network switching device of claim 11 wherein the control unit is further configured to transmit periodic hello messages using the port when the port is in the bundled state.
15. The network switching device of claim 14 wherein the port transitions from the bundled state to the individual state when one or more hello messages are transmitted using the port and no response message is received on the port.
16. A method of configuring a network switching device, the method comprising:
transmitting a probe message to a neighboring switch using a port of the network switching device, the neighboring switch being coupled to the network switching device via the port;
receiving a remote switch identifier and a remote link aggregation group (LAG) identifier from the neighboring switch on the port;
determining whether the remote switch identifier matches a previously received remote switch identifier;
determining whether the remote LAG identifier matches a previously received remote LAG identifier;
when both the remote switch identifier matches the previously received remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier matches the previously received remote LAG identifier:
determining a first LAG associated with the previously received remote switch identifier and the previously received remote LAG identifier; and
assigning the port to the first LAG; and
when either the remote switch identifier does not match the previously received remote switch identifier or the remote LAG identifier does not match the previously received remote LAG identifier:
creating a second LAG;
assigning the port to the second LAG; and
associating the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier with the second LAG.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein transmitting the probe message occurs only when the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier are not previously received on the port.
18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
periodically transmitting a hello message to the neighboring switch using the port; and
determining whether a response message is received from the neighboring switch on the port.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising confirming a configuration of the port and the first LAG or the second LAG to which the port is assigned based on information associated with the response message.
20. An information handling system comprising:
a network switch device comprising:
a control unit comprising one or more processors;
a memory coupled to the control unit; and
a port coupled to the control unit and configured to couple the network switching device to a neighboring switch;
wherein the memory includes a plurality of machine-readable instructions which when executed by the one or more processors are adapted to cause the one or more processors to:
transmit a probe message to the neighboring switch using the port;
receive a remote switch identifier and a remote link aggregation group (LAG) identifier from the neighboring switch on the port;
determine whether the remote switch identifier matches a previously received remote switch identifier;
determine whether the remote LAG identifier matches a previously received remote LAG identifier;
when both the remote switch identifier matches the previously received remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier matches the previously received remote LAG identifier:
determine a first LAG associated with the previously received remote switch identifier and the previously received remote LAG identifier; and
assign the port to the first LAG; and
when either the remote switch identifier does not match the previously received remote switch identifier or the remote LAG identifier does not match the previously received remote LAG identifier:
create a second LAG;
assign the port to the second LAG; and
associate the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier with the second LAG;
wherein the port includes a down state, an individual state, and a bundled state.